Thursday, August 13, 2015

The summer months are so brutal in Oklahoma especially with the temperatures at their peak in August. Mix in the high humidity and it makes for very hot days around here. Which makes it extremely hard for me to be motivated to get my workouts in after work. Stopping at the gym is the last thing I've been wanting to do but the scale puts some pressure on me making my butt get in the gym.

Thankfully we have received a break and the humidity is down and temps are back out of the triple digits making things a lot more bearable this week. Since we aren't all melting as soon as we walk outside I have been spending the evenings outside enjoying the break. Last night my sister-in-law Randi and my new two nephews were in town so after my workout I stopped by in-law's house to see them all. My nephews were playing outside and since Randi and I were already in workout clothes we decided to have a fun workout together.

We pulled out the TKO jump ropes and burned a few calories while having a little fun outside. Randi's favorite workout is jumping rope and I honestly hadn't used a jump rope in my workout in quite some time so it was so fun to change it up. We pulled out another rope to use and it was much more light weight than the TKO soft grip rope. After trying both ropes I definitely preferred the TKO rope. I started out with the other and couldn't figure out why I couldn't get the hang of jumping and after switching to the TKO rope I felt much better about myself. Whew, I thought I had lost my touch! The TKO soft grip jump rope is light weight but still weighted making it much easier to get more reps in. The handles are soft and ribbed for easy gripping making the rope not slip.

Since I was still wearing my Polar watch I tracked that I burned a quick 75 calories in 15 minutes of jumping. Add that to the calories I had already burned that evening at the gym I quickly decided that I will be adding jump roping to my workout daily. It will be a great way to spend some time on the patio or in the backyard, add a few more burned calories and a great at home workout when I cant get to the gym for a workout.

Brecken had a great time "jump roping" with us. He couldn't quite get down how to jump through the rope but he was too cute trying. He just jumped and shook the rope, hey that works buddy! We had a little cool down yoga session together afterwards. And working out in your underwear is always a great idea y'all!

You can find the TKO soft grip rope and other TKO Sport products at Macy's. I like that the line is affordable and others different styles of each product.

This TKO jump rope was sent to me by TKO Sports in exchange for my honest feedback, all opinions are my own.

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

This past Sunday we began a new sermon series, "A Way Out", at LifeChurch. The series is broken down into four weeks and this week was titled Always a Way Out. The sermon was focused around temptations of all types. Whether it be a food, work, porn, social media or anything else they can all become a temptation.

I will be honest and say I'm not completely sure why I've been led to share but God has put it on my heart to post about temptation and addictions. So of course I am...

"So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:12-13

Temptation is anything that promises sanctification at the cost of obedience to God.

"So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!" This fit be hard because when our pastor Craig began I thought to myself I don't really have an addiction or temptation that is tempting beyond my control. I don't overeat donuts, not hooked on drugs or don't work way too many hours...but then God saying be careful that you don't fall! I realized I am not exempt and anything that I enjoy now can easily become an addiction and temptation that is unhealthy. I'm a very black and white person with not much grey in my life. I usually either passionately love or hate something. Not usually a middle of the line passion. Lets be honest, shopping is easily a temptation for me which could lead at any time to over spending. I don't feel like in anyway does shopping control my life or put my life in jeopardy. I'm not spending money that is used to pay bills on shoes instead, how I would love to do so, but I am not. BUT "be careful not to fall!"

Four Truths About Temptation

It's not a sin to be tempted. "For we do not have a high priest (Jesus) who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet he did not sin." Hebrews 4:15

God understands our temptations, he has been tempted in every way. However, no matter what the temptation is there is always going to be a way out.

You are never above temptation. "So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!" 1 Corinthians 10:12

Like I mentioned above, I started out by thinking oh I don't have any harmful temptations when God quickly let me know I need to be careful not to fall and I am in no way exempt. This is when the devil is sneaky enough to invade on my life and I could end up with the darkest of the worst temptation if I am not careful. Keeping a check on my shoe addiction right about now...

God will never tempt you. "And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, "God is tempting me." God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death" James 1:13-15

God does not tempt us but he does test us. He may lead us to a situation where he is testing to see if we fall into that temptation...did I buy that pair of shoes when really I should be saving more this month?

There is always a way out. "...And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13

So, I know for me when I'm tempted to shop and should be spending that time and money elsewhere that I will now recognize that nudge more. I will close the shopping websites and not make that stop at the mall. Maybe for you its you have to close your eyes as you walk past the break room with donuts or delete the Facebook app on your phone because you find yourself checking in everywhere or you are addicted to seeing what everyone else is doing. Lets not fall into the temptations that could be controlling us.

To be close to God you need:

Prayer- Time talking to God

Meditation - Time listening to God

Temptation - Learning to depend on God

Every temptation is an invitation to depend on Christ. God is faithful, even when we are faithless.

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

What girl doesn't love fun beauty products coming to her door?! Even better cheap and fun products! Every once in awhile Target puts out a Beauty Box for only five dollars, yes FIVE dollars! I recently received my box of goodies and could not be more pleased.

When you order your Beauty Box it is a little different than many other subscription boxes out there right now. It is not a subscription and it is first come first serve. So, once you spot one available snatch it up ladies! What I really love about the Target Beauty Box is you get to see what you will be receiving in your box before you put in your order. Even though I do love surprises I love even more knowing I'm not wasting my money on items I wont like or use...yes, I'm cheap.

I'm mildly obsessed with NXY's butter gloss so once I spotted the gloss in the box I was sold. I mean how could I not be? The butter gloss retails for $4.99 so of course that alone pays for the entire box. Everything else included was just a bonus for me, but I do love it all!

I really do love all the products that were sent but I'm extra pleased with the value of the box. All products retail for a total of just over $40.00 and again I paid five dollars! With free shipping because I have the Target Red Card! Score!!

The CoverGirl Outlast All-Day Primer has proven to be a winner when I'm now wiping off my makeup before my workout after work. This says a lot when it is one hundred plus degrees here in Oklahoma so I'm still not sweating off all my makeup while using this primer. I also threw the Burt's Bee Facial Cleansing Towelettes in my gym bag and they have been a great help between work and the gym.

BUT of course, my favorite from the box which is a given is still the NYX Butter Gloss. It stays on, isn't waxy and provides nice coverage. It is easily compared to a department store brand. It has been my lip color almost everyday since the box arrived. Thanks Target, I will be ordering the Beauty Box again next month! Ladies, be on the lookout for the fall must haves Beauty Box coming in September!

This post was not sponsored by Target, I just have a mad love for both Target and their Beauty Box...but how awesome would that be? Target I'm open to a sponsorship!﻿

Monday, August 10, 2015

Hello y'all, believe it or not I am alive just haven't been around this little space of mine. I could give a million reasons why I haven't posted but in short I'm just not motivated. I haven't felt like sharing, being creative or even like I've had enough energy to login. BUT I miss this space and I miss y'all so I'm working on being back more!

Here is a little of what has been going on in my world lately...lots of travel for sure. But lots of great times as well as some down times. Right after my last post, mid-July, I went to Sun Valley, Idaho. I stayed at the Sun Valley resort for the weekend and had an amazing time. Spent some time shopping and just relaxing at the resort. Unfortunately I backed up my phone recently and cleaned out all of my pictures without thinking I haven't shared any on here. So, I was treated to a wonderful dinner and a ticket to see an Olympic style ice skating show at the resort one evening but I sadly don't have any of those pictures to post. Here are a few of the trip.

The very next weekend I was back on another plane to Park City, Utah. I was fortunate enough to stay at the Montage at Deer Valley resort. It was hands down the best experience I've had at a resort in a long time. I didn't want to leave. I was treated as VIP or a celebrity the entire time and not to mention the views were very spectacular. I will share more on this stay soon. I was there for a board retreat but had a little down time to hike. After reading that the hike to Blood Lake from Dashing Darling was a great hike I had to go. I spent a couple hours hiking to the lake and just relaxing while I took in all the views. How awesome is our God to create such a beautiful world. Here is a few snaps from my trip to Park City.

Last weekend I spent part of the weekend in Oklahoma City for work and part of it celebrating, late, my sister-in-law's birthday. Since I clearly don't have my life together I didn't take any pictures of this.

I recently received a new necklace from Trust Without Borders and I love it! "She knew she could be brave because she was his." Inspired from Isaiah 43:5. Y'all check them out on Instagram if you get a chance. I posted about them here too but I love their purpose. For every purchase made they donate a necklace to a cancer patient. How awesome is that?!

Lastly, my new favorite addiction...fresh mint raspberry lemonade. I'm growing keeping fresh mint alive sort of on my patio and its been great to add to any and everything. Throw in a few leafs into your lemonade and you'll thank me.

I hope y'all are surviving the rest of summer...if you are in scorching temperatures like me here in Oklahoma. Dare do I even say I'm almost ready for fall?